Three Napoli players competed in international friendlies on Thursday: Stanislav Lobotka, Eljif Elmas and Leo Østigård. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia did not play in Georgia’s friendly against Morocco, nor did Victor Osimhen play in Nigeria’s friendly against Portugal.
Not To Be For Calzona
Stanislav Lobotka played the full 90 minutes in Slovakia’s highly competitive 2-2 friendly draw against Montenegro. It’s no surprise that under former Napoli assistant, Francesco Calzona, Lobotka played in the same deep-lying playmaker role he plays in at Napoli.
The midfielder started the move on the opening goal of the match, playing a perfectly-weighted cross from the left side of the midfield toward the second post. Ex-Parma man Juraj Kucka stabbed the ball back into the danger area where left back David Hancko was waiting to head the ball into the back of the goal.
Calzona appeared to be heading for his first victory since taking over as the Slovakia coach after Kucka doubled the lead early in the second half. However, Montenegro dominated play for the balance of the match. Captain Stefan Savic pulled one back in the 77th minute, heading in from the corner kick. After multiple, legitimate shouts for a penalty kick, the match official complied late in stoppage time after Adam Zrelak handled the ball in the area. Savic stepped up and blasted the ball straight down the middle, allowing Martin Dubravka to dive out of the way.
Roaming Diamond
Eljif Elmas played 87 minutes in North Macedonia’s 1-1 friendly draw against Finland. He lined up on the left wing in Blagoja Milevski’s 4-2-3-1 formation, but as usual, Elmas with given plenty of freedom to roam.
The Napoli winger/midfielder had his best spell of the match late in the first half, immediately after Finland opened the scoring in the 37th minute. Elmas created two chances driving directly towards the area from the left wing.
Elmas was encouraged to roam even more in the second half, often appearing to play in the No. 10. The diamond was removed in the 87th minute, 12 minutes after Ennis Bardhi equalized from the penalty spot.
A Tale of Two Halves, With a Twist
Leo Østigård played the full 90 minutes in Norway’s 1-2 victory over the Republic of Ireland. This match was a classic tale of two halves, with a late twist.
Norway controlled the run of play in the first half, so other than the occasional interception or aerial duel won, Østigård had little to do at the back. However, he made a significant contribution in attack, opening the scoring from a Norway corner kick five minutes before the break.
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard crossed the ball to the first post. Østigård attacked it, getting away from Ireland centre back John Eagen, before directing a firm header into the bottom corner.
Ireland increased the intensity in the second half and scored a deserved equalizer in the 69th minute. Alan Browne’s low shot had just enough curl to sneak inside the post, to the right of Norway keeper Orjan Nyland.
Norway responded well, going back on the offensive after the equalizer. Ohi Omoijuanfo knocked in the eventual winner in the 85th minute, after Odegaard’s free kick from midfield fell kindly to the substitute in the area.
